US Declares Two Nigerians Wanted Over Alleged $3.1m Medicare Fraud, Drug Offences

The United States government has declared two Nigerian men, Ezechukwu Ohaka and Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, wanted over separate allegations involving Medicare fraud and drug-related offences.

According to statements attributed to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the men are being sought in connection with separate investigations.

Ohaka, 57, is accused of participating in a scheme involving more than $3.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, while Olukoya, also 57, is wanted over an alleged conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances.

The allegations have not, by themselves, established that either man is guilty of the offences.

DHS Accuses Ohaka of Medicare Fraud

The US Department of Homeland Security said Ohaka allegedly submitted more than $3 million in fraudulent Medicare claims and obtained over $1 million in illegal proceeds.

The department alleged that he worked with co-conspirators through a Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., to bill Medicare for power wheelchairs, motorised scooters and wheelchair accessories that were allegedly not medically necessary or were not provided.

According to the DHS statement, the alleged scheme also involved targeting hurricane victims and paying kickbacks to recruit beneficiaries.

The department identified Ohaka as 57 years old and said it was seeking him in connection with the allegations.

The claims concern the alleged misuse of Medicare, a US government health insurance programme that primarily serves people aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities and individuals with specific medical conditions.

DEA Seeks Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya

In a separate development, the US Drug Enforcement Administration has declared Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, also known as “Uncle,” wanted over alleged drug-related offences.

The DEA’s Chicago division announced the search in a statement posted on its official X account.

The statement said Olukoya was wanted for “conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.”

The statement provided in the report did not specify the substances allegedly involved, the quantity in question or further details about the alleged conspiracy.

It also did not establish whether Olukoya had been arrested or charged in court. Those details would require confirmation from official law-enforcement or court records.

Two Separate Cases

Although both men have been declared wanted by US authorities, the allegations against them concern different offences and involve separate government agencies.

The DHS allegation against Ohaka centres on suspected fraudulent medical equipment claims submitted to Medicare. The DEA’s search for Olukoya relates to an alleged conspiracy involving controlled substances.

The available information does not establish that the two men are connected to one another or that the investigations are related.

A wanted notice is a law-enforcement action seeking a person in connection with an investigation or alleged offence. It should not be treated as proof of guilt.

US Embassy Issues Separate Ebola Health Alert

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Abuja has issued a separate health alert following a reported case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.

According to the source report, the US Mission Nigeria published the alert on October 21, advising travellers to consult guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take precautions against possible exposure.

The embassy reportedly said health officials were conducting contact tracing following the reported case.

It also advised people who might be at risk of Ebola to contact their healthcare providers if they developed symptoms consistent with the disease, allowing them to receive guidance before seeking medical care in person.

Travellers Advised to Monitor Their Health

The reported advisory urged people returning from areas experiencing an Ebola outbreak to monitor their health for 21 days after travel.

Travellers were also advised to continue taking malaria-prevention medication as recommended by their doctors. The alert noted that malaria symptoms can resemble those of Ebola and may cause unnecessary concern.

The embassy further directed travellers to the US Department of State’s Nigeria country information page and its list of medical providers. It encouraged them to check their travel insurance arrangements, including available medical evacuation options if they became ill while overseas.

The Ebola health alert is separate from the wanted notices involving Ohaka and Olukoya. The information provided does not indicate any connection between the health advisory and the two men’s cases.